Apparently, Tom Coughlin is going to keep giving the ball to Ron Dayne in short-yardage situations and near the goal line – no matter what the results may be.

Dayne continues to impress running from scrimmage, as he was effective last night against the Jets. But, after losing the ball twice last week near the goal line in Carolina, he again had his troubles in the red zone.

Thanks to a turnover, the Giants took over in the third quarter on the Jets’ 10-yard line and, rather than give Eli Manning a crack, Dayne got the ball three consecutive plays. He fumbled on the first but teammate Jim Finn recovered. He then gained three yards and one yard. On fourth-and-1 on the 1-yard line, tight end Marcellus Rivers was called for a false start, forcing Coughlin to settle for Todd France’s 24-yard field goal.

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Giants CB Will Peterson has had better games. He was abused by WR Justin McCareins, as Peterson was hit with three penalties in the first half. Twice, Peterson was flagged for pass interference against McCareins and once Peterson was called for holding McCareins.

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Despite the Jets’ offseason free-agent signing of veteran safety Reggie Tongue, rookie Erik Coleman appears to have a hold on the starting job.

With Tongue injured for much of training camp, Coleman has replaced him and gotten better, last night recording a sack and a forced fumble. Tongue, who came in with the second unit last night, had an INT in the third quarter.

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Jets CB Donnie Abraham picked off his second pass of the preseason when he intercepted Eli Manning on the Giant rookie’s first series . . . Last night was the Jets’ ninth consecutive preseason win over the Giants.

For the third consecutive preseason game, backup Jets RB LaMont Jordan came in as the third back after Curtis Martin and Johnathan Reese (7-35). When Jordan (11-29) did get in, he fumbled the ball away.